The 2014 crop of basketball prospects in Memphis is rather thin; the University of Memphis has yet to offer any of the three uncommitted Rivals. com-ranked Memphians.

But the notion that Memphis coach Josh Pastner can't still stay relatively local in the 2014 class is misguided — 6-9 post man Trey Thompson, one of Memphis' top targets in 2014, is a 40-minute drive from Memphis in Forrest City, Ark.

Pastner visited Thompson and his coach, Dwight Lofton, at Forrest City High School early last week.

"I think they have a great program," said Thompson, who also has offers from Arkansas and Florida, among others. "Going into the Big East is gonna be a lot tougher, but I think it's gonna be a great atmosphere. It was nice meeting him and finally talking to him. It was a nice experience to see him."

Lofton said he's been familiar with the Memphis program for years, dating to when he'd see former U of M coach John Calipari at Rumble on the Ridge tournaments, which are held annually in Forrest City around Thanksgiving and feature some of the top prospects in the Mid-South.

"Calipari was over here all the time because he and one of his major boosters were great friends," Lofton said. "He was here over every year, and we used to come to U of M camps. So I'm very familiar with the Memphis basketball program."

For Memphis, it's especially important to lock down an elite big man in the 2014 class as the majority of the current frontcourt — more specifically, junior forward Tarik Black — will have moved on by the second year of the Tigers' transition into the Big East.

Thompson, a four-star prospect and the No. 33 player in the country according to ESPN, would fit that bill. Lofton said in addition to Thompson's 220-pound frame, his basketball IQ is through the roof.

"The biggest problem I'll have with him is him becoming more selfish as a player," Lofton said. "His thrill comes from making the back door or outlet pass, setting someone else up. That's the one thing with the Memphis offense, the high-low post — I know that's what turned their coaches on and that's where they see Trey can be beneficial to them."

With Thompson having grown up in a small but tight-knit community, Lofton said being near family could play a significant part in his recruitment — an opening Pastner quickly identified and latched onto.

"Everybody here supports him and wants to see him do well, and that's the benefit of having a young man of his stature in Forrest City," Lofton said. "Pastner pointed out that you're 40 miles away (at Memphis). Your family can ride across the bridge, watch the game, get dinner and be back home in bed by 10 o'clock. That's what he touched on with him, Trey being part of the Memphis Tiger basketball family."

John Martin is the CA's recruiting reporter; contact him at JohnDMartinCA@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter at@JohnMartinCA.